As a reflection of the theatre's historical relationship to
literature and the arts, stage production is studied in the context of the literary
and artistic movements which have informed theatrical endeavor. The major in
Theatre emphasizes the collaborative nature of the discipline by drawing upon
courses offered by faculty of the Language, Literature, Music, and Art Departments.
Although students will be equipped to proceed to graduate and professional schools
in theatre, the major is primarily directed toward those interested in studying
the theatre as an artistic phenomenon and as an interpretive tool. Because a
deep understanding of theatre requires training and experience with the synthesis
on stage, the major includes curricular study of production and performance,
as well as continued participation in departmental stage production.

Williamstheatre, the production arm of the Department of Theatre,
operates under the supervision of the departmental faculty. Major departmental
productions as well as laboratory and experimental productions of all kinds
are mounted on both the DownStage Theatre and the new stages of the '62 Center
for Theatre and Dance. Participation in acting or technical work is open to
all members of the Williams College community. Students majoring in Theatre
will be asked to consult regularly with departmental advisors in devising the
sequence of courses and production participation that will constitute their
major.

MAJOR

The Theatre Department course requirements are Theatre 101,
Theatre 102, Theatre 301, Theatre 401, and one course from Studies in Dramatic
Literature (Theatre 311-322T) or Theatre 210, 211, 215, 217T, 220, 221T, 223.
In addition students are then asked to choose five courses from a seperate list
of the Theatre Department offerings (below), paying special attention to the
prerequisites. Please note that there are several routes to the major. Students
are encouraged to speak with the Chair of the Department in the spring of their
sophomore year at the very latest.

Five courses from below, paying careful attention to the Prerequisites:

Theatre 201 Theatrical Design: Process of Collaboration

Theatre 203 Interpretation and Performance I

Theatre 204 Interpretation and Performance II

Theatre 216 Writing for the Theatre

Theatre 222 Polis/Metropolis: Theatre, History, and Urban Culture

Theatre 302 Scenic Design

Theatre 303 Stage Lighting

Theatre 305 Costume Design

Theatre 306 Advanced Acting Workshop

Theatre 307 Stage Direction

Theatre 308 Directing Workshop

Theatre 397, 398 Independent Study

The department strongly recommends that students elect additional
collateral courses in dramatic literature taught by the English, Classics, and
modern language departments, and courses in opera taught by the Music Department.
Students with an interest in theatre design should particularly elect Art Studio
courses in drawing.

Production requirement for the major: All majors
in Theatre are required to participate in a minimum of eight department productions
in addition to the laboratory requirement for Theatre 102. Participation in
at least three of the eight must be in technical production, and one must be
in stage management. Assignment to productions is normally made in consultation
with the department and chair.

Theatre majors are strongly urged to include dance and fencing
in fulfilling their Physical Education requirements.

THE DEGREE WITH HONORS IN THEATRE

Candidates for Honors will apply for admission through the
submission of a portfolio to the Department Chair by February of their junior
year, as well as a description of their proposed project. The portfolio will
be comprised of four parts:

1. The first part will include a list of the courses students
have taken relevant to their work towards the major, This list will include
courses offered by the Theatre Department, but may also include classes taken
other Departments. Students should also list and describe relevant independent
studies and production credits.

2. The second part of the portfolio will include a selection
of materials developed for these courses and productions listed in Part 1. The
selection should include at least three papers or samples of other written work,
and might also include design projects, director's notebooks, studio art projects,
actor's journals or other forms of documentation of the candidate's work. For
students who have taken a semester away, it is particularly important that they
provide the Department with a detailed picture of their activities while studying
off-campus. Course descriptions and syllabi should be submitted in addition
to a list of courses taken and activities performed.

3. The third part of the portfolio is an annotated bibliography
of dramatic texts which the student has read, drawn from a list supplied by
the Department. Annotations should be based upon a particular angle of engagement
with the text, that reflects the area or areas that the student has chosen to
emphasize in their theatrical training. For instance, one might choose to write
from the point of view of an actor, a designer, a director, a playwright, or
a dramaturg.

4. The portfolio should conclude with a retrospective essay
that reflects on the materials that are being submitted. Students should look
for connections between the various aspects of their work, state any theoretical
positions that they have come to embrace, assess their strengths and weaknesses,
and discuss their educational goals for their work with the Department during
their Senior year.

The portfolio will be examined alongside the student's record
and their project description; a determination will then be made as to their
admission into the Honors program. Students intending to apply for Honors, should
meet with the Department Chair by the end of the fall semester of their junior
year. Once a student is admitted to the Honors program, the department Chair
will assign an Honors Project Advisor, who will work with the student to specify
a timeline and work program for the completion of the Honors Project. At a minimum,
this will entail enrollment in Theatre 493 or 494, plus presentation to the
Department Honors Committee of the completed project for evaluation.

Of interest to advanced students:

THE NATIONAL THEATRE INSTITUTE

The Department of Theatre is affiliated with the National
Theatre Institute, which offers additional theatre study through its resident
semester program. The Institute is fully accredited by Connecticut College and
is a member of the Twelve-College Exchange. Limited numbers of Williams students
can therefore be selected to take a full semester of intensive theatre study
at the NTI, located at the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre Centre in Waterford,
Connecticut. During the semester, students from participating colleges live
and work as members of a theatre company gaining experience with professional
theatre artists in a workshop environment. Early application is essential.